Nyck de Vries leads Mercedes dominance in Formula E opener
Reigning FIA Formula E World Champion Nyck de Vries has continued his form into 2022, dominating the season opener in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.
Nyck de Vries and Stoffel Vandoorne celebrate the Formula E victory in Saudi Arabia. (FIA Formula E)
Teammate Stoffel Vandoorne led a Mercedes-EQ one-two for the most of the race after starting on pole, until he missed the Attack Mode activation line, gifting the lead to de Vries.
The Mercedes teammates sped away from the competition, finishing eight seconds ahead of Jake Dennis.
"We had great pace, the team did a great job and I was a bit fortunate with Stoff missing his Attack Mode, but at the end of the day it was faultless from our garage and we managed to win the first race," said de Vries.
"I am very pleased with the way we managed to win this race and start the season strong."
The FIA Formula E grid prepares for the first race of 2022. (FIA Formula E)
"It's been a great team result," said Vandoorne.
"I can't be disappointed, qualifying on pole in the first new qualifying format - to finish second today is a good one and we have another opportunity tomorrow."
"You can never have relief in Formula E."
"The nature of the Championship is so close that the moment you give up a bit of performance, someone else is going to be there."
"It is not a guarantee that we win today we win tomorrow, but we are going to try and do everything to repeat the performance in qualifying, and from my side do a bit better in the race."
Kiwi Nick Cassidy finished seventh for Envision Racing, with countryman Mitch Evans in tenth for Jaguar TCS Racing.
